Mounties search for alleged abductor at large

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Mounties are asking the public to help identify a suspect after a woman was allegedly abducted outside a Maple Ridge shopping centre on the weekend, then assaulted.

The 17-year-old victim was standing outside Westgate Centre at around 8 p.m. when a man allegedly asked for help getting his car started.

When she agreed, he allegedly pulled out a gun and forced her to drive him to a secluded location in her own car, where he physically attacked and beat her.

RCMP said she fought back and eventually managed to escape the vehicle and run to a nearby home, while the attacker took off with her car.

The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries in the attack and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The suspect is described as a man in his 20s, 5-9 to 5-11 tall, between 180 and 200 lbs., with dark complexion and facial stubble. He was seen wearing a white T-shirt, black puffy jacket, dark blue jeans, white and black shoes and a black toque.

RCMP said the victim managed to rip a piece of jewelry off her attacker during the struggle: a gold cross that appears to be part of a necklace.

Following an initial media release, Mounties said several other women have contacted them reporting similar encounters near Westgate Mall, saying a man asked them for assistance.

“Here is a good citizen offering to do the right thing and help a person who is needing some assistance,” Insp. David Felugel said in a statement. “This suspect took full advantage of this and committed this very unusual crime.”

Mounties recovered the vehicle, and are asking anyone who may have seen a man in a red 1993 Civic between 8 and 9 p.m. Saturday in the area of Blackstock and 203 streets, between 126 Avenue and Walnut Crescent to call them.

Anyone with information is asked to call Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.